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Description
Rediscover the legendary fuzz sounds of the '60s with the Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII. This iconic fuzz pedal is revered for its authentic vintage Germanium transistors, delivering the classic warm and gritty tones that defined an era of rock music. Originally crafted in the UK, the Tone Bender MKII remains a staple for guitarists seeking that raw, unfiltered sound that cuts through the mix with authority.
Housed in a durable enclosure, the Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII is a faithful reproduction of the original, ensuring that each note you play is infused with the same character and charm found on countless classic recordings. Its intuitive design features simple controls, allowing you to effortlessly dial in your desired level of fuzz and sustain. Whether you're aiming to replicate the sounds of your favorite classic rock legends or forging your own path with a unique sonic signature, this pedal is an essential addition to any guitarist's setup.
Key Features:
- Authentic vintage Germanium transistors for warm, gritty tones
- Faithful reproduction of the iconic 1960s design
- Simple control layout for easy adjustment of fuzz and sustain levels
- Durable construction for reliable performance in any setting
- Revered by professional musicians for its distinctive sound signature
Videos
That Pedal Show
Tone Bender Special With JHS Josh & Anthony Macari – That Pedal Show
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII.
Features and functionality
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The MKII Hybrid uses a combination of 2 silicon and 1 germanium transistors, offering a unique tonal blend that retains traditional Tone Bender qualities.
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The hybrid MKII is capable of producing a wide gain range, from "Satisfaction" style sounds to full-on sludge metal, with impressive low gain tones for soloing.
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The pedal offers excellent volume clean-up, achieving a clean sound by simply rolling off the volume knob, comparable to traditional germanium fuzz.
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The footswitch is positioned away from the knobs, which may help prevent accidental adjustments during use.
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Use cases and applications
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Owners note that the MKII Hybrid can clean up effectively by rolling off the volume, similar to classic germanium fuzz pedals.
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The MKII Hybrid has been described as having a "B-52's" sound, indicating its suitability for creating retro, surf-inspired tones.
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This pedal excels in versatility by effectively handling both humbuckers and single coils, providing a nice overdrive tone with humbuckers when the volume is lowered.
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It is noted as an essential tool for collectors and those searching for a unique, historical tone, rather than just casual players.
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Comparisons
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It's noted that the MKII Hybrid maintains the same basic design as the original Vox Tone Bender, suggesting a preservation of its vintage character.
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User experience
Build quality
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 11 Ratings
41029
heavy, gnarly, fun
I love the Sola MK2 professional. It does a great Page thing, cleans up well with your volume control without changing its frequency response AND has the best and smoothest sustain for leads of any 3 transistor, 2 control fuzz pedal I know of. I sold mine for a mint. I miss it a lot. The treble can get out of control though, so if you don't like a toppy sound or have a crazy bright amp then get a MK3 or Burns Buzzaround (or clones thereof).
Most vintage MK2 Pros sound uniformly excellent though there is a lil variation in what sort of excellence they give you. These pedals are valuable and collectable but were made in massive quantities so you can find them. If you want to spend less, there are lots of great clones out there. I was quite impressed with the MJM Brit Bender, though DAM makes the most accurate recreation if you wanna spend a lot.
Artist usage
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In this picture of Page with the final line up of the Yardbirds you can see his Tonebender Professional MII. See also this shot with Zep:
http://www.bigmuffpage.com/images/Tonebender%20Images/Screaming%20Lord%20Such_May%201969_TB.jpg
and this informative article on the history of the Bender family of fuzzes with a healthy dose of 'ol Pagey interspersed: http://www.bigmuffpage.com/The_Tonebender_Timeline_4.html
"The various iterations of the Tone Bender have had many circuit configurations, but it’s best known as a three-transistor germanium design, typified by the Professional MKII. This is the pedal associated with Jimmy Page during the early days of Led Zeppelin, and was a key component of Eric Clapton’s “Woman Tone” on the Disraeli Gears album by Cream." According to writer Tom Hughes, author of Analog Man’s Guide To Vintage Effects
At around 0:58 minute ark, Corgan shows the Sola Tone Bender pedal, which he calls "an original one".
Used on “Thunder High on the Mountain”, as written in Satriani’s personal notebook.
Main Guitar: JS25ART #47, Sola Sound/Colorsound Tone Bender Pro MKII, Digi-Tech Whammy, Marshall JVM410HJS
''Blackmore used the Sola Sound Tone Bender pedal for recording and touring during his first couple of years in Deep Purple. You can hear this pedal throughout the first three Deep Purple albums. Sola Sound Professional MK II Tone Bender was first designed in 1964 and it was based on the Gibson Maestro Fuzz-Tone.''
In a video posted by losbunkersoficial on Instagram, Mauricio Durán showcases his pedalboard during the "Ven Aquí" tour 2023-2024, which includes the Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII.
Album Usage
The Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation25 alternative and related items for Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII, curated by the Equipboard community.
$300.00
Two takes on the classic Sola Sound Tone Bender in one, the Ramble FX Twin Bender boasts double the circuitry in one compact chassis, lending you the sounds of Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and more. With the flick of a switch, the Twin Bender can alternate between the MKII and MK1.5 circuitry, the latter of which uses one less transistor for a cleaner, clearer sound.
$156.00 - $249.00
On the NOS 75 setting, the Warm Bender is a copy of the MKII Tone Bender circuit.
$119.00 - $155.00
The Barrows Fuzz Attacker is an ultra compact, modernized take on the Tone Bender MKII, featuring a phase corrected and buffered output section, and additional volume on tap.
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